AGF Abubakar Malami Releases Controversial Memoir: Reflecting on Stewardship, Addressing Criticisms

In the final weeks of his tenure as the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has unveiled a memoir chronicling his eight-year journey at the helm of Nigeria’s justice sector.

Titled ‘Traversing the Thorny Terrain of Nigeria’s Justice Sector: My Travails and Triumphs,’ the book provides an in-depth account of the challenges and achievements that marked his tenure.
The unveiling ceremony took place in Abuja, drawing attention as it coincided with the imminent conclusion of President Buhari’s eight-year regime. Reuben Abati, the esteemed book reviewer, commended Malami for offering a comprehensive response to the allegations and criticisms that had dogged his tenure. Recognizing the AGF’s position as one of the most powerful and demanding in the country, Abati emphasized the book’s contribution to public service, law, leadership, and self-actualization.
Within the memoir’s 283 pages, Malami addresses the controversies that surrounded key events during his tenure, including the recovery of the notorious “Abacha loot,” the MTN saga, the Paris Club Refund, and the Twitter ban. These issues have sparked intense debates regarding President Buhari’s approach to combating corruption, with some accusing him of selectivity and vindictiveness. However, Malami presents a different perspective, boasting of his efforts in combating corruption in the overriding public interest.
Notably, the memoir touches upon the friction between Malami and the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), chaired by Professor Itse Sagay, a renowned law professor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Malami accuses PACAC of sabotaging President Buhari’s anti-corruption agenda, shedding light on the disagreements that unfolded between them. The former AGF also expresses his criticism of Ibrahim Magu, the former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), characterizing him as “voluble” and prone to reckless behavior.
High-ranking government officials heaped praise upon Malami, extolling his integrity, humility, and dedication to serving the nation. Atiku Bagudu, the governor of Kebbi State, commended Malami for his significant contributions to Nigeria’s democratic governance, emphasizing his role in delivering on President Buhari’s promise of accountability. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, represented the president-elect, Kashim Shettima, and lauded Malami as one of the most “villified” Attorney-Generals in Nigeria’s history. Mustapha asserted that Malami’s decisions were always made in the best interests of the country.
During the book unveiling ceremony, notable figures demonstrated their support by purchasing copies. Former Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, acquired 250 copies for the sum of N300 million, while Governor Aminu Tambuwal, on behalf of himself and the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), procured copies for N125 million. Additionally, Tony Elumelu, the chairman of United Bank of Africa (UBA), Heirs Holding, and Transcorp, made a generous donation of N30 million towards the book’s launch. Arthur Eze, a prominent business mogul, purchased a copy for N10 million.
Reflecting on his experiences, Malami expressed gratitude for triumphing over the numerous challenges he faced during his tenure. He acknowledged that criticisms leveled against him often stemmed from misinformation and a narrow analysis of the issues at hand. As the Honorable Attorney-General of Nigeria and Minister of Justice, he emphasized the need for consistent decisions aligned with the underlying principles of law.

“Of course, with the wider interest over and above private as well as individual interests, that is the true definition of impartiality as is needed to efficiently perform his duties’’.
Mr Buhari’s chief of staff, Ibrahim Gambari, a professor, graced the event.
Several government functionaries including the chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa and the Director General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ahmed Abubakar, among others were at the event.